ATHENS – [ANA-MPA] [Photo by Visitgreece.Gr]
Alonnisos has been named among the world’s 10 leading tourism destinations for responsible and sustainable travel in 2027 by tour operator Intrepid Travel, ranking fifth on its “Intrepid Travel 2027 Not Hot List”.
The annual list features 10 lesser-known destinations around the world that are nevertheless ready to welcome more visitors in a responsible and sustainable way.
Alonnisos was selected following an initiative and actions by the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s (GNTO) UK & Ireland Office, in cooperation with the Municipality of Alonnisos, to collect and provide data on visitor numbers and sustainability initiatives, as well as information on tourism and port infrastructure, connectivity, environmental initiatives and the island’s distinctive characteristics.
The “ Not Hot List” initiative aims to direct travel interest away from destinations already facing heavy tourism pressure towards areas where tourism development can generate meaningful benefits for local communities, economies and culture. Alonnisos is the only Greek and Mediterranean destination included on the list and ranks fifth among the 10 selected destinations.
According to a relevant announcement, Alonnisos’ inclusion in the “2027 Not Hot List” represents significant international recognition for the destination, while also directly supporting key strategic objectives of the GNTO, including promoting lesser-known Greek destinations, achieving a wider geographical spread of tourism demand, strengthening sustainable and thematic tourism and promoting Greece as a destination with a diversified tourism product beyond established hotspots.
According to Intrepid’s methodology, destinations are selected with input from the company’s global network of local staff and destination experts, along with independent research by travel trends forecasting company Globetrender.
Destinations are assessed on three main criteria:
⦁ lower visitor numbers compared with comparable destinations;
⦁ readiness for sustainable tourism development; and
⦁ new initiatives, infrastructure, improved connectivity or other developments that provide reasons to visit in 2027.
Intrepid presents Alonnisos as a notable example of responsible island tourism, highlighting the island’s National Marine Park of Alonnisos – Northern Sporades, which it describes as Europe’s largest marine protected area, as well as efforts to protect the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
It also highlights the island’s diving tourism and the Peristera Underwater Museum, as well as Alonnisos’ participation as one of five pilot islands in the LIFE-IP CEI-Greece “Circular Economy Implementation in Greece” project, involving actions on the circular economy, recycling, biowaste management, desalination and the use of renewable energy sources. Intrepid also points to the island’s pioneering initiative to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags.
Intrepid describes Alonnisos overall as a strong example of how Mediterranean islands can pursue tourism development without following a mass-tourism model.
